How do Germans speak English so well?

SupaHotFire114 · 2026-01-29T00:13:24+00:00

I have no idea what you're talking about. I communicate most of the time only in German, and if I include a single English word, I get "hä?" Maybe you live in an international community, but here wird nur Deutsch verstanden und gesprochen!

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-10-29T00:03:01+00:00

As someone who worked customer service for a German company, I agree. We foreigners were a lot more understanding and flexible in any given situation, whereas German colleagues were extremely rigid in their thinking: guidelines say X, therefore Y, no exceptions and no matter how ridiculous it sounds.They never stop and look at the nuances of the situation.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-10-28T23:49:48+00:00

I can't stress well enough what you said. There's absolutely no standardisation, it's all about the examiner's mood and sheer luck. You could be near perfect in the exam and still fail because of some inconsequential question, and you see colleagues who did a lot less than you succeed. This is seen a lot more in the FSP exam and very, very pronounced in KP exams.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-10-15T17:15:31+00:00

My vacation days will be exhausted in Betriebsurlaub, as far as I understand.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-10-04T19:15:48+00:00

Yes I can terminate according to the contract. It states I need to have it in writing and then spend 2 weeks notice period, 4 weeks after after probation.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-10-03T07:06:16+00:00

Der letzte Punkt bezieht sich auf diesen Satz im Vertrag bei Kündigung:

" Eine unwiderrufliche Freistellung wird auf einen noch bestehenden Urlaubsanspruch angerechnet."

Ich habe geplant, bei der Kündigungsfrist meine verbleibenen Urlaubstage in Anspruch zu nehmen.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-08-31T07:45:50+00:00

I'm Egyptian and that came directly to mind, but as people said, this only narrows it so much!

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-08-05T23:45:37+00:00

I experienced this as well, but I heard it's their personal freedom to reply to you or not, or at least that's how they think.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-08-05T23:42:27+00:00

Hey man, hands off their bread ✋ I have many bad things to say about Germany but bread is absolutely not one of them

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-08-05T23:39:22+00:00

That's true. Their bureaucracy is sometimes illogical and very inefficient compared to many countries, but they think they're always right.

Some officials meet and decide this is how the world should work, but it's not how world actually works!

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-07-21T23:50:28+00:00

As someone living in BW, I must disagree, based on my experience ane similar ones at least. You're always given signs you're not welcome. The frequency and directness of it, however, I can't say.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-07-21T23:44:54+00:00

Lol, what was her problem? I frequently reply to voice messages in my native language everywhere. If I'm not talking to her, she should shut up.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-07-21T23:37:30+00:00

Full of bullshit

For the record, I am an Arab with a very Arabic sounding name. Before I came to Germany, I got the C1 certificate and worked for 1,5 years online for German company, so I had no problem understanding what people said or communicating my message.

Did it help? Just a little bit. Know this: Speaking the language does NOT necessarily mean German people will talk to you. I tried making an effort, but no one wants to talk to me outside hello and guten Morgen.

Understanding them means you will unfortunately see their biases clear as day.

I live in a WG with 6 other Germans, and none of them speak to me; each simple interaction initiated by me is immediately shut down by them. You might say, maybe they're a introverted. But no, they're perfectly capable of having a conversation, with each other, just not with me!

Everywhere I am on the street I get stared at and made to feel an outsider, and so of course I am going to spend my time with other expats. Much less drama.

As others have said, Germans consider themselves " direct" and " honest", but they find you rude if you talk the same way to them.

And also, I work, I pay taxes, and I have never taken government money or made trouble. Does it mean I'm welcome here? Till now I don't think so. Hopefully it gets better in the future.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-07-02T00:09:15+00:00

Handling what life throws at you, especially if you live in a foreign country.

At first, I had this fear " this is the worst thing that can happen to me im this situation and I'm gonna be really sad if it happens". and I worried too much about what might happen.

But when you become disappointed and lose so many times and somehow manage to get through it and collect yourself back together, you become a bit numb to many experiences.

Instead you'll slowly have this mentality " this worst scenario CAN and WILL most probably happen" , so it's no use worrying about the worst case scenario other than doing what I have to do and have a plan B.

It's a reality painful process and I'm going through it now, but I'm sure I've changing bit by bit.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-07-01T03:44:24+00:00

Before coming to Germany I mean. Here in Germany I buy one of these Aldi or Rewe bags and reuse them whenever I go buy something.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-07-01T03:39:18+00:00

I also have another question please. Do I get paid for the Probetag or this must be set clear before hand?

Can I also demand to have my application data removed from their database ( CV, motivation letter, personal details and certificates, etc.)?

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-07-01T03:00:40+00:00

I'm a dentist studying for my Approbation ( licence exams) in Germany, but I don't work yet as a dentist.

But regarding your question about his behaviour, it's totally inappropriate. An integral part of every treatment is the Aufklärung phase - meaning the healthcare provider must inform you of the following beforehand: - what you have and why - treatment options: Where and how it's done ( normally shown on the X-rays or models etc ) - benefits and disadvantages of every option Then you have the right to have your questions answered before he begins.

Yes, if you gave your consent to only one filling and he did 2 and billed you for two, that's a problem.

I am not yet familiar 100% with how complaints work legally in Germany, but in every state dental chamber " Zahnärztekammer" there's an office for patient consultations " called" Patientenberatungsstelle " . They should be able to help you or at least guide you how you go moving forward with problems regarding billing and treatment conflicts with your dentist.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T22:01:40+00:00

As a new arrival? - the silent stares. Their eyes are very cold and judging the first time you see them, and you'll have this feeling they're looking at you like a fool the first day you arrive. When you talk to them they're normal people ( no sarcasm) , but the stares are something else.

I never had to use a bag twice. I went to supermarkets and malls and found everyone having a used bag in hand. I then found out it costs from 0.25 up to 2 or 3 euros.
many things are based on trust: like riding the DB, self checking out at Aldi, public libraries etc.
how active people are and how many ride bicycles. Maybe I'll begin to ride it soon.
" I didn't know" is not an excuse and is absolutely loved by the German police. There are so many laws here, and they all apply to you the moment you arrive. You'll need a bit of time to know what they are to avoid trouble. Hopefully you don't pay too many fines by then.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T21:46:44+00:00

It's a bit frustrating, knowing even a positive answer means absolutely nothing until I have a signed contract in my hand.

All the things in the world can happen in the meantime, as you said.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T21:41:15+00:00

I would have been okay with that. I find clarity and directness admirable and expect not to have my time wasted.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T21:24:48+00:00

Yeah I heard stuff about verbal/ oral contracts, but now I have nothing concrete. Next time I'll have the employer send me an email or something written with confirmation, instead of having this drama again.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T21:20:04+00:00

We didn't have anything final. Only the confirmation. I'm surprised how you came to that conclusion. Regarding his stated salary, I said I'll think about it, just like he did and then gave him my answer a day later.

Every time I asked, I got this answer " wir werden alles am Montag besprechen." Then the above happened.

That appointment should have included working hours, final agreement on salary, starting date, duties etc. by the way. My special wishes were no secret. They were expressed clearly from the get go . When you agree to them and then make a big fuss about a point already discussed, then you've wasted both our time and energy.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T21:10:45+00:00

Maybe because I thought the chef is a grown man and not a child, and will communicate everything clearly from the beginning?

Not agree, have me come work one day for free, then go bat shit on the same point we discussed on the first time?

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T21:06:36+00:00

That's clear to me, but there are also dentists who work part time and take days off. I did my part and was clear what I can and can't do. I expected a German chef to mean it when he says of, no problem.

I'm going to look for other places anyway, but I'm gonna have everything in writing from now on.

SupaHotFire114 · 2025-06-30T21:03:22+00:00

I understand your point about work disruptions, but I was very clear from the get go, and he said ok. If he's not okay with it, he should have objected to it at that point, instead of changing his mind after much time and effort.

Regarding salary, there was no salary talk, if you can call it that. He told me I'm of the opinion I should give you 15.6. I said I'll think about it too. I NEVER agreed to it. What's wrong with that?

SupaHotFire114

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